PROLOGUE

 

Linda Gates

 

Spiritual Nourishment Book Three

 

30 further daily messages based on those which I have written for my Spiritual Nourishment facebook page. If you enjoyed my other books, I hope these messages will bless you as much. My hope is to bless readers with these messages during the difficult times in which we are living and to bring them into a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. At the end of this book you will again find the ABC of Salvation for ease of reference.

 

2 Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not as many, which corrupt (peddle or sell for own profit) the Word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”

AN UNCHANGING GOD

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

 

What an awesome realization to KNOW that GOD NEVER CHANGES. People change, the world changes, but from age to age God remains the same. He is the one constant in the lives of His children.

 

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”.

 

If things around you are changing too fast, if it seems that you cannot keep up the pace, turn to the ONE who never changes. You don’t need to keep up with the world – just keep in touch with the Lord our Saviour, for He will never leave you nor forsake you.

 

Hebrews 13:5 “for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

 

God’s immutability means that God’s essence, His character, His mind, His being, His perfection, His purposes, His holiness, His will, His faithfulness, His promises, His plans never change, but remain consistent.

 

He is Spirit and not matter and therefore not subject to change. He is self-existent, self-sufficient and eternal. He cannot change by the slightest degree. He does not increase, nor decrease. He is the great I AM – not I was or I will be, but I AM – always the same throughout history, since before He created the world and He will remain the same until the end of the world and thereafter.

 

Isaiah 44:12 “...I am He; I am the first, I also am the last.”

 

Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

 

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not”

 

Job 23:13 “But He is in one mind, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.”

 

The Word tells us that Christ has an unchangeable priesthood:

 

Hebrews 7:24 “But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”

 

He remains the same, from the beginning to the end of time.

 

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

 

God is devoid of change. God is perfect in all His essence, in all His ways. He is as unchangeable as an immovable rock.

 

Isaiah 26:4 “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

 

Psalm 78:35 “And they remembered that God was their Rock, and the high God their Redeemer.”

 

God’s immutability gives us stability in life. He is our Rock. Just as a rock cannot naturally change its substance, God remains the same throughout the ages. He never goes back on His word. His Word is set in stone.

 

Psalm 119:89 “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.”

 

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

 

On the outback of Western Australia, we find the world’s biggest rock, Mount Augustus (also named Burringurrah by the Wajarri tribe). This rock changes colour, beginning each day a purple-blue haze and as the sun rises it takes on the colour of the desert turning to crimson-orange. Then, in the afternoon light, to a greenish tone as it is shrouded in mist. Then again at nightfall, it changes to a darker tint. The rock provided a shelter to the indigenous people and many have recorded their stories in the stone overhangs and caves.

 

Just as this rock has remained unchanged in its immensity over thousands of years, our God remains unchanged in every aspect of His character. Compared to God, this magnificent rock is but a tiny speck upon the surface of the earth, created by the spoken word of “the Rock of Ages”, our God!

 

1 Samuel 2:2 “There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside Thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”

 

Change may occur around God, but there is never any change in His Being, to His character. The earth will perish, but God will endure. He remains the same eternally.

 

God alone never, ever changes because He is already perfect, He is holy, His ways are already perfect, His will for us is already perfect, His plans for the world is already perfect!

 

Proverbs 19:21 “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”

 

Psalm 102:25-27 “Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed: But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end.”

 

Look away from the world filled with its violence, immorality, unrest, wars and rumours of wars, tears and heartache and cast your eyes on the Rock of Ages, the One whose love is eternal, in whom our eternal peace, hope, rest lies.

 

Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

 

Take comfort in this: your Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He will be there for you throughout every change in your life. He will lead you through every storm. He will comfort you through every heartache. We change, yet He remains the same awesome, powerful, omnipresent, omniscient, loving, merciful, faithful God whose love for you never changes.

 

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

A SPIRIT OF RAPTURE

 Acts 1:11 “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”

 

Titus 2:12-13 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”

 

Do you have a spirit of rapture? Is the desire of your heart not for worldly things, but for the Lord Jesus Christ to come and fetch the body of Christ to Him.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

 

Everything about the spirit of rapture rises heavenwards and not earthwards. Those with a spirit of rapture live on earth as though in heaven, truly led by the Lord, always awaiting His return and our own ascension heavenward. Jesus will come in the same manner as He left. Are you ready?

 

Luke 2:26 “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.”

 

Colossians 3:2-4 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”

 

Our prayers should daily be: “Come, Lord Jesus, come!” Our spirits should daily be lifted heavenward, as we look for the return of our Lord.

 

Even during difficult times, during sad times, during grieving times, a spirit of rapture will assist us to get through such times, as we have the assurance that this life is only temporary. We have a better future in store for us – a future in heaven where peace and love will reign.

 

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

 

Even as we see this world filling with more hate, more violence, more crime, more destruction, more immorality, if we retain a spirit of rapture, we need not lose hope, because we have the assurance that the Lord is coming. He tells us so. The signs are already all around us. We cannot know the precise time, but Jesus told His disciples that when they see certain things happening in the world, they need to watch and be ready.

 

Luke 21:25-28 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

 

Matthew 24:33 “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”

 

Matthew 24:44 “"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

 

Do you have a spirit of rapture?

 

Revelation 22:20 “He which testifieth these things saith, "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

 

There will be scoffers who deny Christ’s coming soon, however, there are more signs now than ever before. We need to remember that there were scoffers in Noah’s days too. There were scoffers when Christ came the first time – they denied that He was the Messiah. Jesus warns us that there will also be scoffers, just before His return.

 

2 Peter 3:3-4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

 

2 Peter 3:17-18 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen”

 

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

 

Jude 18-20 “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

 

Joel 2:1 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.”

A REVERSED PROCESS

John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing."

 

An apple, when it is still on the tree is one of God’s perfect creations. But, once the apple falls from the tree, the rotting process immediately commences. In like manner, we are all created with perfect souls, yet the world (due to the fall of man through Satan) contaminates and rots people’s souls. This rotting process starts with our natural birth and continues until the new birth, when God enters our lives, through the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit and our lives take a complete U-turn. It is only then that the healing process can begin to reverse the rotting process.

 

Hebrews 3:7 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice”

 

Psalm 51:7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 

This transformation process, which is possible for each and every person, regardless of their personal sin, must be voluntary. God has given us free will to choose between Christ and Satan, between good and evil. It is up to us to choose and return to our Creator willingly. Jesus knocks, but it is up to each person to decide whether or not to open the door of his heart.

 

Revelation 3:20-21 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

 

God is no respecter of persons, meaning He shows no favour, no impartiality. God sees all people as equal. He accepts all who accepts His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us therefore receive God’s Word in the inner man, that we may receive wisdom and be filled with His joy.

 

Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.”

 

Let us endeavour to live as a mirror of our beloved Lord, that others will see Christ in us and desire what we have, thereby turning from their lives of sin, error and fear of an unknown end, to a life of peace, joy, wisdom and an eternal life in the glory of God.

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

 

Isaiah 43:1 “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”

 

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

 

Let us endeavour to get to know more about our heavenly Father, to build up a relationship with God, in Jesus Christ our Lord, to receive hope – hope in this life, hope for eternal life.

 

Romans 8:24-25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

 

You can know and experience God as a loving, all-present, all-caring, faithful, merciful, graceful God who has loved His creation since the beginning of time, who continues to love His creation now and will continue loving us eternally.

 

1 John 3:1-3 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”

CAST YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

 

In the world today there is so much sadness, so much stress, so much anxiety. If we look at the world, if we set our eyes on the things of the world, watching the news, reading bad news, listening to bad reports, our hearts become heavy and cast down. These are the things that Satan uses because he knows that he is already lost, he is already going to be cast into the lake of fire, so he wants to drag as many people as he can into the fire with him.

 

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

 

Do not give the evil one the satisfaction of filling your mind with fear, with stress, with anxiety. Today, set your eyes on the Maker of all things good, all things wonderful, all things which brings joy and peace to the cast down soul.

 

1 Peter 5:9-10 “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

 

Set your eyes not on the things of the world, but on Jesus who Himself took the pain for us so that we would not have to endure unnecessary sufferings.

 

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

 

If we suffer for the Cross, we suffer for Christ. If not, we are merely suffering in our own souls.

 

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

 

Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”

 

Cast your eyes upon Jesus today and not at what is going on in the world. Whatever is going on in the world cannot change one bit of your final destination to eternal hope and glory, if you keep your eyes on your Redeemer.

 

Therefore, cast your eyes, your thoughts, your mind, your heart upon Jesus, the Maker of peace and you will find that you will feel peaceful, restful in your spirit. Let this be the song of your heart today:

 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Howarth Lemmel 1863-1961)

 

It is better to keep your eyes and ears on the Lord and look away from such things. Yes, pray for the person in trouble, the person suffering heartache, for healing, for abused children and animals, but please, please try to keep your eyes upon Jesus and not allow the evil one to fill your heart with fear, with sadness, with depression.

 

There is another song which I often reflect upon when people tell me the bad things that are going on in the world:

 

“Be careful little eyes what you see...be careful little ears what you hear...” (Colin Buchanan 1998)

 

What we see cannot be undone. What we hear cannot be undone. It remains in our minds, being the reason why it is said that the mind is a battlefield. Bad things seen and heard repeat themselves over and over in our memories.

 

2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

 

Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

 

It is hard to look at cruelty,

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 24.08.2018
ISBN: 978-3-7438-7875-4

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Widmung:
Dedicated to my husband Dean, who enables me to spend my life writing about God. Dedicated to God, my Abba Father, to the Lord Jesus Christ who fills me with such joy and the Holy Spirit of God who guides me daily, in my writing, every step of the way.